Art of Relaxation:

How do you relax?

Art of Relaxation:

Let us see the incredible view of my home

How do you relax?

Relax.

I often relax by making plans for the future and providing reassurances that will help me network deeper and deeper down the road. Hopefully my relaxing time is also time for me to both study and learn new materials, as well.

Related Posts:

While growing up, when I was asked regarding what I looked forward towards in the future, I always had the answer.

Photo by Derek Finch on Pexels.com

The answer was simply, I wanted to be a Doctor (coz that’s what I knew my whole life and indirectly working towards albeit having other interests).

Thus, from primary school, next would be high school, moving towards science stream in school and pre-university in a course which would serves as a prerequisite into entering medical school

Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

In medical school, my focus was always on the exams, completing that particular posting, completing that year, completing preclinicals and moving onto clinicals, studying for the grand finals, completing medical school and graduating.

Upon graduation, applying for housemanship to start practicing. I always knew that I wanted to practice in Sarawak General Hospital. Thus, that didn’t require much thinking. Working my way there, and finally, starting housemanship.

Now that I’m a House Officer, completing each posting, working towards completing a year, now focusing on completing the whole journey.

But after that? I feel lost and aimless.

Previously, when asked regarding my need to have a family, I would brush it off. Not that I didn’t want to but I’ve yet to meet the person that I would want to spend the rest of my life with and build a family.

My aim was mainly catered towards my parents. But they’re doing just fine on their own. Thank God for that. I don’t see my purpose anymore actually.

In regard to post-housemanship, I have no idea of which speciality I would like to dive into. In terms of being surgical based or medical based, the thing I learnt over this past 1 year is that I’m definitely a surgical based person. Though, I have enjoyed paediatrics very much (which I supposed is a very much toned down version of the chaotic medical posting).

I wouldn’t know, as upon writing this article, I’ve yet to complete my medical posting.

The medical field is not just tied to 6 different postings. As a House Officer in Malaysia, we are required to rotate to 6 different postings throughout our 2-year-duration in housemanship which are, Surgery, Medical, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics. The sixth posting, we have the privilege to choose among Emergency Department (ETD / ED), Anaesthesia, Klinik Kesihatan (Community Clinics) and Psychiatry.

However, in reality, the clinical field is vast and there are other specialities that we as House Officers have yet to enter. In terms of non-clinical field, it is another vast category.

Which of it am I?

At times I wished that I always knew of what I wanted to be, such as a Cardiologist or a Surgeon but after assisting in the operating theatres and working as a junior doctor, none of it appeals to me 100%. Sure it is interesting but is it something I would want to be doing for the rest of my life?

Having completed a year of housemanship, I thought that the answer would be clear to me by now. Yet, I’m still as unsure as I had been before. I’ve approached multiple seniors, medical officers and specialists and talked to various doctors from different fields regarding their experience. I seem to have the information but my heart was not fully captured by any of it. 

Everything seems nice and interesting. I hope that in time to come, the answer would be clearer. The least I could do at the moment is to put my best foot forward in whatever department or sector that I go through.

Related Posts:

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/25/the-house-officers-dilemma-housemanship-diaries/

#Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1897 #dailyprompt1903 #dailyprompt1904 #dailyprompt1905 #dailyprompt1906 #dailyprompt1907 #dailyprompt1994 #dailyprompt1995 #dailyprompt2003 #dailyprompt2005 #dailyprompt2008 #dailyprompt2009 #dailyprompt2014 #dailyprompt2019 #dailyprompt2023 #dailyprompt2024 #dailyprompt2025 #dailyprompt2026 #dailyprompt2027 #dailyprompt2028 #dailyprompt2029 #dailyprompt2030 #dailyprompt2032 #dailyprompt2034 #dailyprompt2039 #dailyprompt2041 #dailyprompt2045 #dailyprompt2049 #dailyprompt2050 #dailyprompt2051 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2059 #dilema #doctor #doctorSLife #hospital #hospitalSLife #houseOfficer #housemanship #Malaysia #medical #reflection #surgery #surgical #write #writing

Reflection of the Paediatrics Posting

An article regarding my overall reflection of my third posting, Paediatrics as a House Officer.

The Theoretical Doctor

Click here for more articles & daily dose.

Daily writing prompt List your top 5 grocery store items. View all responses

Working as a House Officer, I do not go out to eat much. Mainly because our days are mainly occupied with work and after work, we would be drained. Well, most of the time.

Thus, if I were to really go out, it would be during my long breaks which is when I apply for leaves.

In terms of acquiring groceries, I rarely go to the grocery store myself as I do not have a car of my own in Sarawak. I am extremely dependent on Grab and overtime can be expensive as well.

Hence, I make do with the convenience store downstairs at my apartment which doesn’t really have much in terms of fresh foods or ordering online.

Here are my Top 5 must haves in my grocery list which is available in the convenience store if I were to just shop there.

1. Coffee

Photo by Enes Cou015fkun on Pexels.com

As I mentioned in some of my previous articles before. It is a must have drug in my system. Personally I think I have grown rather immune to the effects of caffeine over the years from overconsumption. Thus, if I’m unable to get my grounded coffee beans, usually I’ll make do with some freeze dried coffee or a regular black coffee powder.

2. Oats

Photo by maria cerda on Pexels.com

I replace rice for rolled oats when I’m living alone. Back at home, my mother would always cook rice as my parents love rice. However, I noticed that I easily crash or get sleepy easily after consuming rice. Thus, I substitute it for rolled oats and usually I would cook soups or curries and pour the oats over it and consume it just like regular rice.

3. Eggs

Photo by Daniel Reche on Pexels.com

It is easily available. When there is nothing else stored in my pantry and everything else is closed, eggs go about well with almost everything. 

4. Noodles

Photo by Alena Shekhovtcova on Pexels.com

Well, I’m not exactly healthy per se all the time, and I do enjoy my occasional instant noodles. Especially after work and not having a meal the whole day, I’ll just whip up a quick dish of curry instant noodles with eggs.

5. Sausages

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Personally, I prefer chicken over sausages and as mentioned before, I rarely go out for my groceries. Hence, I’d go for sausage since it is easily available at the convenience store downstairs. In addition to that, I can be versatile with cooking them.

Thus, if I had to list 5 of the hat, these are my top 5 that I would shop for in any grocery stores amidst working as a House Officer.

Again, sadly, it lacks nutrition. But, oh well.

Click here for more articles & daily dose.

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/24/my-top-5-grocery-store-items/

#Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1904 #dailyprompt1905 #dailyprompt1906 #dailyprompt1908 #dailyprompt1910 #dailyprompt1911 #dailyprompt1915 #dailyprompt1919 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2059 #dailyprompt2101 #dailyprompt2104 #dailyprompt2106 #dailyprompt2108 #dailyprompt2109 #dailyprompt2112 #dailyprompt2113 #dailyprompt2123 #dailyprompt2127 #dailyprompt2134 #dailyprompt2140 #dailyprompt2155 #dailyprompt2157 #doctor #grocery #houseOfficer #housemanship #Malaysia #medicalLife #work #working #workingLife #write #writing

The Theoretical Doctor

The Theoretical Doctor

Related Posts:

Paediatrics Posting. The posting of tiny human beings.

Looking back, I feared entering into the Paediatrics posting. I think I say that for almost every posting.

However, it was one that I fell in love with before I even off-tagged, as mentioned in one of my articles previously.

The stress level was not as bad as it was in other postings mainly because we were dealing with children. Not to say that treating them is easier, in fact it isn’t as they tend to fight back, scream or cry a lot.

I mean they’re just children.

But perhaps when I do come to work, the smile on their cute faces were enough to alleviate some of the stress and checking them clinically involves a skill as they are easily triggered. 

I would find myself playing with them or calming them down. Most of the time if I were to auscultate them, they would either start playing with it, swat it away or start crying.

The Paediatrics posting is the place I started eating again amidst the stress. Irregardless of the amount of patients and work to do, there is always time for lunch or at least our superiors will make sure of that. 

It was also the place where I enjoyed the long rounds in the morning and afternoon as well as I would present to specialists. 

I made a good friend with a medical officer who I still keep contact with albeit having left the posting. I enjoyed the days where I would be allocated to work with him. 

Having worked both in the general ward and nursery ward, the experiences were different but enjoyable nonetheless.

If there is a posting I wouldn’t mind repeating, it is the Paediatric Posting and I hope you do or will or had enjoyed this posting just as much as I did.

Related Posts:

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/23/reflection-of-the-paediatrics-posting/

#Blog #blogging #children #childrenHealth #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1897 #dailyprompt1903 #dailyprompt1904 #dailyprompt1922 #dailyprompt1923 #dailyprompt1925 #dailyprompt1926 #dailyprompt1928 #dailyprompt1932 #dailyprompt1940 #dailyprompt2029 #dailyprompt2030 #dailyprompt2032 #dailyprompt2034 #dailyprompt2039 #dailyprompt2041 #dailyprompt2045 #dailyprompt2049 #dailyprompt2050 #dailyprompt2051 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2059 #doctor #healthcare #hospital #houseOfficer #housemanship #internship #Malaysia #medical #medicalLife #medicalOfficer #paediatrics #pediatrics #reflection #sarawak #write #writing

Click here for more articles & daily dose.

Daily writing prompt What would your life be like without music? View all responses

Utterly boring.

As far as I could recall, I have always associated studying with music.

Perhaps it is because while growing up, my mom had always filled the house with music and made me sit at a corner to study whether I liked it or not, I had to study.

Eventually, I’ve grown used to, to studying with music or reading with music.

In high school, I discovered the kind of music that I like as well as the suitable time for me to study.

Thus, music and studying goes hand-in-hand or I will not be able to focus.

Eventually, I shift to Podcasts and Audiobooks while I am going about doing my chores or cooking, I am either listening to these or music.

Even my daily morning writing has jazz or lo-fi playing in the background.

There are days of course when I do not feel like listening to my music or is simply not in the mood for other musics.

Thus, “lo-fi” or “jazz” are my go-to. Still musical nevertheless.

Click here for more articles & daily dose.

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/19/studying-with-music/

#article #Articles #dailyBlog #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1897 #dailyprompt1912 #dailyprompt1913 #dailyprompt1914 #dailyprompt1915 #dailyprompt1917 #dailyprompt1918 #dailyprompt1919 #dailyprompt1922 #dailyprompt1923 #dailyprompt1924 #dailyprompt1925 #dailyprompt1931 #dailyprompt1935 #dailyprompt1936 #dailyprompt1939 #dailyprompt1943 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2065 #highSchool #listening #music #study #studying #write #writing #writingAsADoctor

The Theoretical Doctor

The Theoretical Doctor

Click here for more articles & daily dose.

Daily writing prompt What things give you energy? View all responses

Working in the hospital, I wished that I had endless amount of energy. This is due to the never ending amount of patients as well as the lack of manpower.

Despite having completed your side of work, you just wished that you could help out. However, once you are done for the day, the thought of even going out is too tiring, upon returning home.

Thus, the evenings after work are usually spent recuperating and resting before going to bed to repeat the whole thing again the following day.

These are what keeps me going throughout the day.

1. Coffee

I need to have my morning coffee. I just absolutely have to.

My morning is not complete without my morning coffee as my body will feel sluggish and tired. I’m somewhat also more irritable and unable to think or move fast.

Perhaps it is the caffeine addiction speaking.

After I have had my black coffee to start the day and packed my necessary coffee flasks for work, it is then that I am ready to walk out the door and head to work.

2. Chrysanthemum Tea

I have built a liking towards cold chrysanthemum tea.

Personally, I enjoy the sugarless chrysanthemum tea. However, the ones available at work are only those in the can and has sugar in it.

Nevertheless, I still make do with it. Besides it is affordable too. Sipping that cold soothes my soul and reenergises me.

3. Cold Green Tea

In addition to cold chrysanthemum tea, I would usually prepare a jug of green tea and store it in the fridge.

This is for me to enjoy upon returning home and also serves as a healthier alternative to chrysanthemum tea which is packed with sugar.

Thus, the things that energises me are not food but simply drinks.

Click here for more articles & daily dose.

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/18/the-energy-boosters/

#article #boosters #chrysanthemum #dailyblog #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1897 #dailyprompt1903 #dailyprompt1904 #dailyprompt1905 #dailyprompt1906 #dailyprompt1907 #dailyprompt1926 #dailyprompt1928 #dailyprompt2026 #dailyprompt2027 #dailyprompt2028 #dailyprompt2029 #dailyprompt2030 #dailyprompt2032 #dailyprompt2034 #dailyprompt2039 #dailyprompt2041 #dailyprompt2045 #dailyprompt2049 #dailyprompt2050 #dailyprompt2051 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2059 #dailyprompt2068 #energy #greenTea #routine #tea #writing

The Theoretical Doctor

The Theoretical Doctor

Related Posts:

“You Guys Are Angels”

This may be a biased statement and it differs according to the individual’s experience. Thus, although I do know of the controversies I may ignite. I am merely saying this out of my own firsthand experiences and as mentioned before, each person’s experience differs greatly.

MOs, short for Medical Officers.

First of all, I don’t know how do you guys (medical officers) do it, pulling through an oncall shift, just to return for another oncall duty the following day after postcall. Perhaps it is because during my current batch, we have shifted fully to the “shift system”. Thus, we have yet to experience the “oncall” system which was experienced by the older house officer batches. 

I am in awe and I appreciate the determination and discipline that goes with it. Most of the time when an oncall medical officer is on duty, they solely handle the referrals from emergency or ward and sometimes both. This goes on from the start of that day till the following morning and after which they would have to help out in clinics during their postcall, wards or even in operating theatres (OT).

Most of the time, they are alone unless they are lucky enough to have a “tagger”. Thus it is them, the house officer, the registrar and the specialist that forms the oncall team.

That is if they are oncall. In the wards, they rely on the house officers to carry out the active joblists, to take the bloods, request necessary scans, to resuscitate the patient first and inform if there are any acute issues and to carry out the morning, evening and oncall reviews while they are in the clinics or operating theatres or helping out in other places.

I used to think that once we have completed housemanship, life will be better. However, after observing my medical officers and registrars, it does not actually get better, the stress is on another level, the responsibilities increases yet they pull through it with jokes and smiles. I used to think that, perhaps they have gotten used to it. On the other hand, I’m still struggling

Medical Officers are in charge of the House Officers as well. Thus, if any pitfalls were to occur, of course we do get scolded but they are the ones who get reprimanded as well. I’ve lost count of the times when the medical officers have backed me up. Although I do know that, that is their duty but albeit the responsibilities and the stress, I’ve experienced it first hand multiple times when they would take the fall instead when it comes to answering the specialists.

There are times when I do feel their anger were uncalled for. However, most of the time I understand that it mainly stems from tiredness. The patience really wears thin and snaps easily when there is lack of proper rest

A lot is expected of them from the specialists and on top of that, taking care of us, House Officers too and teaching us what we do not know while trusting the patient’s care into our hands while they are off to help out in a different place. They are always a call away even if we are placed in the night shift. Thus, should there be any issues, they are always nearby and there.

Yet, after work, after the tiring day and issues that occur in ward, they return home to their families and loved ones and try to go about their life, only to return and repeat it again the following day.

Some might say, well, it is their duty isn’t it? I’ve heard it before.

It is true and personally I feel that we as House Officers, although we are tired, and on top of that being tested emotionally, they are even more tired. 

Thus, if there is anything at all that stems from this article, it is my deep and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation towards the Medical Officers, which are rarely said.

My dear readers, if you are beginning your journey as a House Officer or is currently going through your housemanship or internship journey, have faith, patience and to always remember to be kind. Remember that as House Officers, we serve to ease the burdens of the Medical Officers on top of learning on the job, for we will one day take their place. 

A fellow colleague always mentions this sentence while I’m in my Surgical Posting, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want them to do unto you”.

This wise line by Confucius has a special place in my heart and I hope it does for you as well. As you become more senior and familiar with the work at hand as well as build good relationships with your superiors, always remember to be humble and kind.

Do not let cockiness overcome you nor be easily angered when a fellow junior makes a mistake or asks for guidance. 

We were all once in their shoes as well.

Always remember to take care of yourselves first, so you can serve others best.

Related Posts:

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/17/appreciation-towards-the-medical-officers-mos-housemanship-diaries/

#appreciation #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1897 #dailyprompt1903 #dailyprompt1904 #dailyprompt1908 #dailyprompt1911 #dailyprompt1936 #dailyprompt2030 #dailyprompt2032 #dailyprompt2034 #dailyprompt2039 #dailyprompt2041 #dailyprompt2045 #dailyprompt2049 #dailyprompt2050 #dailyprompt2051 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2059 #doctor #help #hospital #houseOfficer #housemanship #kindness #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #write #writing

Related Posts:

Sunday, 30th of June 2024. I was allocated to work as the morning shift house officer at Paediatric Isolation Ward 3A. It was a Sunday.

At the time of writing this article, it is September and currently in my fourth posting which is Surgery. I should be pushing into my third month in Surgery but considering my recent injury in August, I have been on 6-weeks medical leave.

Looking back, my last day in Paediatrics was extremely lovely.

Working during the weekend in General Paediatrics especially Paeds 3A meant that there is only one medical officer who will do the morning rounds, which is usually the oncall medical officer and grand rounds with specialist is only once which is in the morning.

Prior to my arrival that morning, I knew that there were only two allocated house officers on duty in the ward that day. Me and a colleague of mine.

However, my colleague was on medical leave and was unable to come to work. I started off with morning reviews at the acute cubicle as usual and continued to the next cubicle while awaiting another house officer to be reallocated.

Considering that we were tight on manpower during that day, we each reviewed the patients on our own and directly presented to the specialists.

A lovely person was reallocated and I enjoyed every bit working with her. We completed morning rounds at almost 2pm and proceeded to complete our morning discharges and take any STAT bloods.

Then, we went for lunch and proceeded with acute bay reviews and continued with our afternoon discharges.

Upon completion, we spent time talking and joking. The hours were filled with giggles and laughter till it was finally time to return home.

We returned home on time that day at 6pm. 

My third posting ended on a good note as well and it was one filled with tons of fond memories. It is one of the posting that I would not mind repeating. 

If you are due to commence the Paediatric posting, I sincerely hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Related Posts:

YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

https://theoreticaldoctor.com/2024/09/16/my-last-day-in-paediatrics-as-a-house-officer/

#article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1897 #dailyprompt1903 #dailyprompt2014 #dailyprompt2019 #dailyprompt2023 #dailyprompt2024 #dailyprompt2025 #dailyprompt2026 #dailyprompt2027 #dailyprompt2028 #dailyprompt2029 #dailyprompt2030 #dailyprompt2032 #dailyprompt2034 #dailyprompt2039 #dailyprompt2041 #dailyprompt2045 #dailyprompt2049 #dailyprompt2050 #dailyprompt2051 #dailyprompt2053 #dailyprompt2056 #dailyprompt2057 #dailyprompt2059 #doctor #generalWard #houseOfficer #housemanship #lastDay #medical #paediatrics #pediatric #ward #writing